captfit wrote:I was having some trouble with the Overhead Press specially for the last 2 reps so for my 4th and 5th set i asked for a spot and i could complete my 5 reps easily .The Spotter just gave the initial push from the bottom position and i completed the rep from there . So now just a quick question or an opinion i'd say is it okay to lift with a light Support in OHP for a last set or two increasing weight every workout or simply repeat the same weight till i can get through all the weights comfortably myself ??

You should not use a spotter for OHP. When you are getting help to start the weight up at the bottom, you are cutting the workload of the shoulder muscles which is the whole point of this press.

In fact, the only time your spotter should ever lend assistance is to keep you from injuring yourself. The spotter should never just make the rep easier so that you can complete a set. For squats, set the safety pins so that if you can't lift the bar you can just drop down and let the bar hit the pins. For deadlifts, you can just drop the bar if you can't lift it - same for rows. For OHP, if you can't lift it, just rest the bar on your torso and rack it. In my opinion, the only time you should ever use a spotter is on the bench press so you don't crush yourself. The spotter should only act when you can't push the bar up yourself, and then the set is over.

Some tips for OHP:Do your set as fast as you can, don't pause at the top or the bottom. "Resting" in these positions actually requires energy.Try breathing at the top instead of the bottom (if you aren't already doing so):Breath deep and hold the breath, tightening up your core. If you are pressing in a rack, gab the bar and take a small step back and press it. Don't take to long to set your position, it will sap your strength. Breath out as you near the top of the motion and then take a quick short breath in as you hit the top and start to come down. You should be holding your breath again before the bar gets to the top of your head. As soon as the bar touches your chest, push it back up again, touch and go. Repeat.Starting the first rep from the rest position is actually the hardest because you won't have any stretch reflex going on. I think that once the weight gets really heavy, a little bounce to start the set is OK, as long as you are strict with your form for the rest of the set. However, you shouldn't even think about this until you are down to only doing 1x5 on the OHP instead of 5x5.

Thanks a lot for the tips mate , yes i wasn't doing the breathing on top and actually after every rep i was setting the bar on rest position taking in a breath and then going up which was a little difficult . Maybe i'l just try with an increased speed and the breathing thing when i do them again on Saturday .

Quick question i was just going some threads here and well just got this idea how about if i do some creatine supplementation , i mean just wanna know if any one has done it ?I can do with some extra stamina as they say it works out that way .

i could never tell if the creatine was working or if i was just getting stronger anyway. maybe i was expecting too much from it, i tried a few different types a few years ago. wont bother again personally think its overrated and cant do you much good to be honest. maybe it works better for some than others tho

"iam the strongest one! iam the viking!" - jon pall sigmarsson“may all of your dreams and ambitions happen, but most important, may all of your enemies die"www.infowars.com

I have not used any supplements other than a bit of protein powder to supplement my diet. However, the only time I've had a protein powder drink in the last 6 months was late at night when I didn't feel like preparing any food and I needed to eat something (and that's only been a few times in that time span). I also think the creatine supplementation is not necessary. Your body will eventually adapt to the lifting you are currently doing. I think it's better to adapt naturally, so you know what your body can do as it is. Once you have a year or more of straight strength training completed with good results you can think about it again and decide what supplements you need. As a beginner you shouldn't use any, just eat enough good food!

The workout was mixed one today i did my Personal Best on Squats today and struggled a bit on the last rep of last 3 sets . Could feel my Quads and Hams stretch on every rep .

Next came Overhead Press warmed up well but was very tired from Squats but still loaded the weight for this workout and bummed out in 3 reps . I just decided to deload and work on form , i am in no hurry to get hose nos and i got down to 15kgs from 22.5 , Will build up from here . Was very dissapointed over the failed attempt and deload of weight .

So to get over the negativity instead of the scheduled upgrade from 50kgs last time to 55kgs this time i put in 5 more and now it was standing at 60kgs+Barbell so today i finally reached my Body weight in Deadlift , the form could have been a little sloppy as the weight did feel heavy , but at least something to cheer up about .

Although really pissed about the OHP .

Last edited by captfit on Tue Dec 04, 2012 1:26 am, edited 1 time in total.

good work on reaching your bodyweight in the deadlifts! its always a nice motivator to be able to lift your bodyweight i find. dont worry about the over head press it will come, just keep pushing and concentrating on your form like your doing!

"iam the strongest one! iam the viking!" - jon pall sigmarsson“may all of your dreams and ambitions happen, but most important, may all of your enemies die"www.infowars.com